Howto flash OpenWrt on Nexx WT3020

Dec 5, 2014

Hi! This is a tutorial of how to flash OpenWrt on WT3020. WT3020 is chinese mini router and it’s extremly cheap. You can buy it on Aliexress for ~$15 (for example here).

###!!!Important!!!

The process of flasing goes via serial port. I haven’t found another way to flash it( for example, using tftp on router booting). So, you have to open WT3020 box and solder a few connections (TX,RX,GND).

Disassembling

Use a screwdriver to make a gap in a place where two upper and bottom lids connected. Gradually and smoothly take apart these two peaces. It should be opened without big efforts.

After openning of the router you need to solder 3 joints. 3 joins represent 3 TTL pins: TX, RX, GND. They are should be connected to TTL-USB converter(cp210, cp2102). Connect pins according the table below:

Router

Converter

TX

RX

RX

TX

GND

GND

You will need following packages:

sudo apt-get install tftp minicom

Connect to the router via serial port

Before connecting find out a port number of your ttl-usb converter, usually it is /dev/ttyUSB0.

Leave minicom running, do not pay attention to offline at status line below. Despite this input stream will appear on terminal window.

Ok, now it’s turn for the router. Unplug the router. Connect the router to ttl-usb converter, then connect ttl-usb converter to PC, in a nutshell the router should be connecter to PC.
Plug in WT32020, following data should appear on terminal window: